Distributing mechanism for typographic machines



F. Wv. LETSCH.

Jan. 2;,1923. y

ANrsM FOR TYPQGRAPHIC MACHINES.

- 3 sHEgYs-SHEET 1 nw 2 9 8. 2 Dm P A w w1. WF G N T U B R T s D imatented dan. E, 1923..

aannemer: w.y Larson, or* namriaonn, MARYLAND.

msrarsnrrne Mironanrsiyrroa rvroeaarnrc Maurin-ans.

appiiation inea aplaza, 1920. sei-iai No. 377,252.

`To arl/Z fio/0712. it may comici-21,:

lie it known that l. i* stammen.

Baltimore city,` Maryland. ha 'fe invented certain new and useful.improvements .in Eistrihuting 'Mechanism Ytor Typographic Ma.- chines, ot which the tollowing` is a speciiica.- tion. l n

This invention relates to (,listrihuting mechanism for typographie machines ami particularly to what known as linotype machines.- ln machines ot this character means are employed for elevatina` matrices andl'ioldinp; them adjaccntfthe distrihutino4 mechanism. This generally known as the second elevator har. llrlec'h'anism is also employed z'ior transferring; the nuitrices "trom the elevator har to the d.istrihutinI` mechanisml rlhe present invention relates particularlyto certain improvements in 'such trans- 'lier mechanism.

ln machines oil 'this kind as now generally constructed. the transiter mechanism is op erated from the main shaft oil the machine hy means of a. long; arm to which the trains- '.ter mechanismlis attached. rllhis arm has a longsweeping movement which is more or undesirable as it is apt to he somewhat abrupt and irregular. Furthermore, it is necessary for the parts to he so arranged that this arm may he moved away .from a position adjacent the dis li'huting mechanism .hefore-the elevator har is lifted since otherwise the parts will interfere.

By the present invention the means 'tor a)writtingl the trimester mechanism is mount,- ed-onthe frame ot the machine adjacent the distrilmting mechanism with the 1'esult that a lighter, smoother movement oi.' he tra-nsf tier mechanism can he'ohta-ined. .fini additional advantage oi the present arrangement also lies in the tact that-fatter a collection of matrices has heen moved ftrom the elevator har the transfer mechanism need not he re turned to position to move the next collection of matrices from the har until after suchharhas moved downwardly,.received a new supply ot matrices and again reached its uppermost position. The result is that more time is allowed kfor transferring the matrices into the distrihuting;` mechanism which tact admits .ot a slower, easier. movement ot the transfer mechanism and t-hiiis the danger of bending or hrea-kinpgthe thinimatricesiismore eectively ohviated. n

The invention in one specific torm'is set,

.broken away. and other Geo of Figures l and; 4f;

forth in the toilcaving` s peciiication and illus-` tratefl in the accompanying drawings,*hnt C it apparent that various.modifications in thedetai'ls oi this speciiic construction may he made without depargingY trom 'the true. spirit orfscope of the invention.`

ln the drawings torming part of this illustrated in diterent positions;

well known parts hei Figure 4 isa plan `view of the mechanism f `h`igure5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 loi: Figure l, certain ofthe parts appearing-.in elevation; Figure 6 is sectional view onthe line Figure 1' isa detailed sectional view showingthe construction oit the link employed for operatingthetranster mechanism; i`

igui'e S is as side elevation of the `cam har .employed `rlor .swing-rino` 'the' matrix pusher arm at' certa n points in its travel 5 Figure t) 'isla longitudinal sectionalhview on the line otFignire 8; Figure IO is elevational view slimvinpr` the [detailed .construction f of rcerta-in` parts oit' the mechanism tor controlling the movements ot the transfer mechanism.

Referring? to thedrawinajs `in detail l0,

brackets. A. pusher arm y'1.5 is` keyed to the shaft 14, this'arm carrying` `atitslower end a part'la which lis adaptedto contactwith lfrom the elevator Agn and move the 'matrices vio v clined portion 19f ot the cam bar and will 14, this arm carrying at its upper end a roller 18 which at certain times is caused to contact with and bear against a cani bar 19 secured to the upper portion ot the slideway 11 of the machine. coiled. spring` i4n is mounted on the snatt 14 which springy is so arranged as to hold the pusher arm 15 normally in posit-ion to contact with matrices held on the elevator bar.

Referring particularly' to Figures and 9, it will be observed that the cam bar 19 is provided with a pivoted member 19"1 which `is `normally held in the position shown `in Figure 9 by means of a coiled spring 19" which surrounds the pivot pin. `19C on which the pivoted member 19L is mounted. The pivoted member 19"L is held trom n'iorement in one direction by means ot a projection -19d which in one position contacts with the main portion of the bar 19 and holds such member against movement. 1 'lt will be understood that the cam bar 19 is sopositioned that `as the slide 12 carrying the arm 17 is moved toward the ri ht. that is, toward the distributing' mechanism. the roller 18 will be out ot Contact. with such bar` until the slide approaches the end ot its movement in that direction. n nearing the end of such movement the roller 18 of the arm 17 will contact with the pivot member 19n of the cam bar and' move the same about the pivot pin 19. fitter the arm 17 with the roller 18 passes the pivoted mem bei` 19"L such member will be returned to its former position under the lfluence of 'the spring 19h. When the slide carrying' the arm 17 and the roller 18 begins its niovement in the opposite direction i. e., away trom the distributing` mechanism, the roller 18 will contact with the rear curved portion 19e or the pivot member 19a with the result that the roller will be compelled to Follow along` the rear portion ot' the .rain bar and it will be understood that when the roller 18 is in Contact with such rear portion ot the cam bar 19 the pusher arm Vlf3 will be swungr to the position illustrated in Fiirure 2 ot the drawing. Vilhen the slide 12L approachesthe limit of its movement toward the lett the roller 18 willk pass alone` the ininally reach a position so that it will be again tree to movel toward. the right without interfering with the cani bar. i

The elevator bar desiniiated by the nii-- meral 2O is adapted to lift matrices 'trom ann other part of the machine and hold them in position adjacent the distributing mechaH nism. rThe elevator bai' 20 is operated from the main shaft ot the machine a manner which is well known and description or' illustration o' such operane mechanism is unnecessary.` A' f 'The means for reciprocating the yslide 12 will now be described. A bracket 21 is ait ranged on the upper part of the .frame 10 adjacent the distributing mechanism. A )ear-.iinr )in .f is moun ef in is r i l y mi 02 t d th b aclet 2l anda rotary member23 is journaled on said pin. lilhe member 23 is provided with a hub portion 232L on which a beveled gear wheel 24 is rotatably mounted. A clutch member 25 is also mounted on the hub of they rotar;A member 23.. these parts being keyed together by means ot a key 25"L so that the clutch member 25 can move longitudinally oic the hub oii the member 23 but relative rotation between such parts is prevented. A member 26 is also secured to the hub or' the rotary member 23 and a coiled spring 2? surrounds the hub oi? member 23 and bears against thc clutch member 25 and the member This spring, tends to constantly urge the clutch member 25 into contact with thesurface ot the yrear wheel 24. The gear wheel 24 is constantlydriven through the medium a beveled pinion 3G mounted on a shaft 31 rotatably Supported in brackets 32 and 2l secured to the` .traine ot the machine. rlhe shaft 31 carries at its end a spur gear 33 which cooperates with an idler gear 34.y which meshes with one oii the geaisB, B, employed for driving the distributingscrews A constituting; part of the distriliutine mechanism.

The rotary member 23 carries an arm 35 which arm is connecten to the slide 12 heretolore referred to through the medium of a spring` link This link, as shown in Figure of the drawing, consists of'two teleseopinp; parts 3oL and 36b between which a coiled spring` 37 is arranged, it being understood that this spring constitutes a yielding means by which the slide 12 is operated as the rotary member 23 is causedto rotate.

Means are provided for producing` an intermittent rotary motion oi the member 23 and such means will now be described. Mounted upon the clutch member is a cam 40. A lever 41 pivoted to thev bracket 21 orsuitable part ot the frame 10 through the medium oi a tulcrum pin 42. At its upper end the lei'er 41 is provided with a laterally projecting portion 41 having an inclined surface 41h tor a purpose hereinafter described. .at its lower end said lever carries a pin 43 which is positioned to cooperate with the cam heretofore referred to` .5. spring` 44 holds the lever 4l normally in such position that the cani 4l) fl U the gear wheel 24 at which time rotation of? 'being brought about .by the in Figure its tu lcrum pin l 42.

rali-mor to move about its tulcrum pin 42 so to disengage the pin 4&3 from the highportion of the :am7 such n'iovement ot the lever t1 following' mechanism. A shaft 50 is rotatably mounted in suitable brackets 51 secured 'to the ltrame 10 Which Shatt carries at one end a thrust arm 52 and at the other end an operating` arm il coiled spring` 54k is mounted on the shaft 50 Which spring` tends to holdr the shaft in such position that the thrust arm 52 will .normally occupyv die position shown The thrust arm 52 is so positioned that it will be struck and moved by the elevator bar `thelatter approaches its uppermost position. Vhen the velevator bar .contacts with the thrust arm 52 ythe latter is moved into the position vshown 'in Figure 2; n K

The operating' arm 53 carries at its end a pivoted t'igge'r 53 Which normally held in a horizontal position by means of a coiled spring-531 mounted on the pivot pin 53C by which the tringler 53 is pivoted to the arm 5?). rlhe trigger 53 has a projection 53d which is normallv held in -c.ontaot.\vith a part ot the arm 53 by means of the `spring 53"j heretofore referred to. The trigger 5ta is also provided With an inclined face which cooperates ivith the inclined face 4:1" on the lever 41 (see Figure 10.). It yvvillbe understood that as the operating` .lever is caused to move downwardly the tace 53e ot the trigger 53 will yContact .with .the face 41 of the lever Ll1 with the result that said. last named lever will be caused tosxving about After the trigger passes the laterally projecting` portion .4r-1 oit the lever 1,- this lever will be restoredto nor- 'mal position under the influence of the spring` its the lever moves upwardly the trigger 53 will vield and move past the projecting` portion 11 ot the lever 41.

r`lhe `operation of the various yparts ot the mechanism have alread7 been described ,to

some .extent and a brief `@general 4stadi-ement ofthe operation will suffice.k When the ele- `vator bar 20 carrying the suppl).Y el mat ricos approaches its uppermost position it will contact with and move fthe thrust arm 52 l:trom the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 2, such movement ot the thrust arm causing rotation ot the shatt 50 and movement of the operatinu` arm As 'this latter arm is caused to move downwardly the trigger 53 pivoted tothe end ot the same Willcontact with and move the lever 11 about the fulcrun'i 4t2, such movement of y'the lever 41 causinlogthe pin 43 kcarried bv such lever to be Withdrawn trom contact with the cam et() secured to the clutch member 25. The clutch member under the in` luence of the spring 27 then `movesinto contact-With the .dear .vheellQlt Whichisconh stantly rotated through fthe tmedium of the .Cam bar 19.

spur gear 30, shatt 3l and driving mecha-* k the nisin heretofore referred to. When clutch member contacts with the gear 24- such `clutch member is caused to rotate and in doing` so vcauses rotation koit the rotaiar As .the slide moves toward the lett the arm` l5 pivotallysecured thereto is swung' to the `position shown in Figure by reason of the Contact of roller 18 with the rear of the When the slide reaches the limit of its movement to the left the larm 15 under the influencent the spring k14y assumes a vertical position, ,as shown v.in Fig- .ure 3 of the drawing, .the roller 18at such timed being free trom the .cam bar 19 `and themember 15 beingin position to 'move the 5matrices from theelevator bar 20 as the slide 12 l,and arm 15 `movestothe right. lt will be understood that atter t-he arm `15 `pushes the matrices from the elevator bar .thematrices Will be halted and fed one by .one into the distributing mechanism in the -usual Way. Since the arm .35 "does not stop until a complete rotation is made, it tolglovisthatwhen the matrices are stopped'adjacent` the `distributing mechanism the spring 37 will be compressed between parts 36" and 36a .ofthe link y36. The 'matrices will thus be fed or ypushed into the distributing 'mechanism by thearm lacting under the influence .of the compressed spring` 37. it Will also ,be understood that the parts ott they mechanism are fso` timedythat when a supply oit .matrices carried by theaelevato'r bar have been .pusheddirom.said bar by the arm 'and While this arm is still. .pressing the matrices toward. the `distributing 4scre\.vs A the elevatorbar will be Ltree to .move downwardly .and when this takes .place .the thrust iarm f5.2 will "assume .the position shown in Figure 3 and the.operatiny` arm 53 Will be moved to its original position above the lever 111. When-the `lever t1 ,is

tree fromthe .influencent the operatingy arm 53 the spring; Mavillmove saidlever il .so Ithatthepin L3 will again be in, position to contact lwith thehighportion ot the cam 10, `the result beinfr that asthe clutch mem bery25 continues to rotate theliigh lportion ofthe cam 10contacts with said pin Sand withdraws the clutch member from contact with fthe .gear `Wheel K v24C whereupon .rotation of the .member 2ceasesiand the movement ofthe slide 12 toivardtheleit will not occur again until the elevator bar again contactsavith the thrust member-,5 2 and moves the various partsso as to f'cause the opera- .tion te befrepeatedis o Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

l. The combination with matrix distributing mechanism of means for elevating matrices and holding the same adjacentl said mechanism, a pusher-arm, pivotally supported intermediate its ends, means for moving the same toward and from one end of said mechanism, said pusher-arm being normally positioned to contact with and move matrices from said elevating means to said distributing mechanism during its travel toward said mechanism, and means cooperating With the other end of said pusher arm for holding the rst named end thereof out of its normal position during travel in the opposite direction.

2. The combination With matrix distributing mechanism of means for holding mat'- rices adjacent thereto, a slide, la pusher-arnji pivotally mounted thereon intermediate its ends, means for moving said slide toward and from said distributing mechanism, means for holding one end of said pusherarm normally in position to contact with and move matrices from said holding means to said distributing mechanism as said slide travels toward said mechanism, and means for contacting With the other end of said arm for moving and holding the lirstnamed end of said pusher-arm out of such normal position as said slide travels in the opposite direction. s

3. In a mechanism of the kind described,`a slide, means for reciprocating the same, a shaft rotatably mounted yon said slide, 'a pusher-arm having one end secured to said shaft, a second arm also secured to said shaft, yielding means for holding said shaft in one position, a cam bar, said second arm being positioned to move free of said cam bar when said slide moves in one direction, and means for causing said second arm to engage said cam bar during movement of said slide in the opposite direction.

4. T he combination With matrix distributing mechanism of means for holding matrices in position adjacent said distributor mechanism, aslide, means for reciprocating the slide, a shaft rotatably mounted on said slide, a pusher-arm `secured at one end to said shaft and having the other end thereof normally positioned to move the matrices from said holding` means to said distributing mechanism When said slide travels to Ward said distributing mechanism, a second arm secured to said shaft, a cam positioned to contact with and move said second arm When said slide movesaivay from said distributing mechanism, whereby during such last named movementsaid shaft is caused to rotate and said pusher-arm is moved out of its normal position.

5. The combination with matrix distributmg mechanism of means for holdingniatrices in position adjacent said distributing mechanism, a slide, means for reciprocating the same toward and .from said distributing mechanism, a shaft rotatably mounted on said slide7 ai pusher-arm secured at one end to said shaft, means for holding the other end `of said pusher-arm normally in position to contact with matrices held by said matrix holding` means, a second. arm secured to said shaft, and means cooperating With said secondarm for moving the same to rotate said shaft and move said pusher-arm out of its normal position While the slide is moving away from. said distributing mechanism. i

6. The combination with a distrilmting mechanism of an arm for pushing matrices into said mechanism, means for moving said arm toward and from vsaid mechanism, means for holding the arm in one position as the same is moved toward the distributing mechanism and. stationary cam means i'or swinging the arm .out of such position as it moves in the opposite direction.

7. The combination With matrix distributing mechanism ofniovable means for elevating` matrices and holding the same adjacent said mechanism, a movable pusher-arm adapted to contact With and move the matrices from said'elevating means to said distributing mechanism, a rotatable member, a. connecting rod between said member and said pusher-arm, mechanism forv intermittently rotating said rotatabie member. and means controlledby the movements of said elevating means for controlling the action of said last named mechanism. y 8. The combination With matrix distributing mechanism of means for elevating matrices and holding the same in desired position, a slide, a pusher-arm mounted on said slide and adapted to contact with and move the matrices from said lifting means to said distributinp,` mechanism, means for moving said slide, andfrotatable means controlled by the movements of said elevating means .for operating said slide moving means.

9. The combination with matrix distribut- GOl ian-,ici

said elevating means to said distributing nie-ans,` intermittently operatingl mechanism for moving said slide including a rotatable member, and means. operated by the movements ci said elevating means for initiating he movements oi" said rotating member.

ll. The combination with matrix ldistribut mechanism, oi means tor elevating matrices and holding the/same adjacent said mechanism, a pusher-arm `tor movingimatri tromsaid elevating means yto said disii'inutingmechanism,'means for causing said pushe-aini to intermittently move toward said distributing mechanism and return 'to its initial position `inchuling a rotatable member, a movable thrust member positioned in the path ot movement oifsaid elerating means, and means operable bythe` movements ci? said thrustmember tor initiating tliemovements ot' rotatable member.

l2. The combination with matrix distributing mechanism ot means oit elevating matrices and'holding the same acent said mechanism, a. slide, a pusher-arm mounted thereon and adapted to move matrices from said elevating means to said distributing mechanism, a rotatable element and means 'For constantly rotating the same, a clutch member adapted to cont-act with and be' rotated bysaid rotatable element, means operated by the rotation ci? said clutch `member Yfor moving said slide, means Vtor separating said clutch member "from said `rotatable element at a predetermined point in the movement of the former, and means operable by said elevating means as the same approaches its uppermost position for causing said clutch member to contact with said rotatable element.

i3. rlfhe combination with matrix distributing mechanism ot mea-ns for elevating matrices and holding the same adjacent said mechanism, a. pusher-arm for moving the matrices 'from said elevating means to said mechanism, a wheel, and means for constantly rotating the same, a rotatable clutch member arranged to move into and out otl Contact with said wheel to rotate therewith, means operatively connected to said clutch member for moving said pusher-arm, means for separating said clutch member from said wheel at a predetermined point in the movement of the former, and means for causing said member to again contact with said gear wheel when said elevating` means reaches a position adjacent said distributing mechanism.

11i. The combination with matrix distributing mechanism of means or elevating matrices and holding the same adjacent-said mechanism, a slide, a pusher-arm mounted thereon and positioned to move matrices 'from said elevating means to said distributing mechanism, a gear wheel and means for constantly rotating the same, a clutch member arranged to n'iovezinto and out' otccontact with' said gea H wheel and to rotate therewith, :meansVoperativelyk connected tosaid clutch member :forl `movingsaid: slide, means tor causing said. clutchr member to move lout ot contact with vthe saidffgear `wheel when said memberhas completed si'ibstantiallycne v revolntion,a thrust member positioned in the path `ot nlovementot.said eleva-ting means, and meanscontrolledbyl the movements ot said thrust member for causing said clutch member.- to Contact with. said gear wheelr l5. The combination with 4matrix distributing mechanism or' meanswifor elevating matrices and holding the same adjacentsaid mechai'iism, a1s'lide,a pusher-arm mounted thereon, ai gear wheel, a rotatable member having; af'ihub onwhich. said gear wheelis rotatably-mounted,means connect-ed to said rotatable member -a-nd said slide tor reciproeating'A the Platter, `afclutch meinbeivslidably-'securedto said. hub, means oryielding-ly holdingisaid clutch-member in contact with said gearwheeha cam 'onsaid clutch member, a pivoteddeverprovidedat one end witha1 pin normallypositioned `to contact withsaid camlan'dimo-ve said clutch member away Afrom said gear 4vwheel;and means for moving saidfle ver to withdraw said `pintrom said cani'vvhen Ithe" elevating zmeans reaches its'iu'ppermost position.

i 16. 'The combination with 'distributing mechanism of an elevator for lifting ina-trices and holding the same adjacent `saidmechanism, a continuously rotating' wheel arranged adjacent saidf'distributing qnechanism, a clutch member arranged concentric with said'wheel, a pusher armradapted to push matrices from-said elev'atorf'toward said distributing mechanism, means controlled by the movementsfoi' said elevator 'for causing said"y clutchy member to `engage said wheel, means'ifor-stopping rotation of'said clutch memberaftery the same has completedone revolution and means connected to said pusher arm and said clutch member whereby rotation of the latter will move the former.

17. In a mechanism of the kind described, a frame, matrix distributing means mounted thereon, an elevator bar adapted to lift matrices and hold the same adjacent said distributing means, a constantly rotating wheel mounted on said frame, a clutch arranged adjacent said wheel and adapted to rotate therewith, means controlled by the movement of said elevator bar for causing said clutch to befconnected with and disconnected from said wheel and means connected to said clutch for moving matrices from said elevator bar to said distributing mechanism.

18. 1n a mechanism of the kind described, a frame, matrix distributing means mounted therein, said means including a plurality of distributing screws and gears for driving the same, an elevator adapted to lift matrices and hold the same adjacent said distributing means, a pusher-arm for moving the matrices from said elevator to said distributing means, a gear wheel mounted on said trame and operatively connected to one of said irst mentioned gears, and means operated by said gear wheel for moving said pusher-arm, said means including a member adapted to contact with said gear wheel and rotate therewith during one revolution of said wheel and means for automatically disconnecting said member trom said gear wheel after the same has completed substantially one revolution. v

i9. ln a device ot' the kind described, a trame, matrix distributing mechanism mounted thereon, an elevator adapted to litt matrices and hold the same adjacent said mechanism, a slide, a pusher-arm positioned to Contact with and move matrices from said elevator to said distributing` mechanism, a shaft rotatably mounted on said trame, a thrust member secured to said shaft and normally positioned in the path of movement of said elevator, means mounted on said frame for moving said slide, said last named means comprising a rotatable member, a spring link connecting said member and said slide, a constantly rotating gear wheel, a clutch/member operatively connect-4 ed to said rotatable member and movable into and out of contact with said gear wheel, a spring positioned to bear against said clutch member and tending to move the same toward said gear wheel, a cam on said clutch member. a lever having a pin adapted to engage said cam and move said clutch member away trom said cam, and an arm on said shaft adapted to contactwithsaid lever and withdraw said pin from said cam.

20. In a device of the kind described, a iframe, matrix distributing mechanism mounted thereon, an elevator for lifting matrices and holding the sameadjacent said mechanism, a slide, a. pusher-arm on said slide adapted to move matrices from said elevator to said distributing mechanism, a rotatable member on said frame, a spring linl; connection between said member and said slide, a constantly rotating gear wheel on said trame, and means controlled by movements of said elevator for causing said gear wheel to intermittently impart a complete rotation to said rotatable member.

2l. rllhe combination with matrix distributing mechanism, ot means for elevating and holding matrices in position adjacent said distributing mechanism, a slide, means for reciprocating the same, a pusher arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said slide, mea-ns ttor holding one end of said pusher arm normally in position to contact with matrices held by said matrix holding means, a cam positioned adjacent the path of movement ot' said slide for contacting with the other end of said pusher arm, means tor causing the last named end ot said arm to engage and travel along said cam in moving` away 'from said distributing mechanism, said last named end of said arm being free from said cam when moving in the opposite direction.

22. In a device oit' the kind described, a frame, matrix distributing mechanism mounted thereon, elevating means for lifting matrices and holding the same adjacent said mechanism, a slide, a pusher arm on said slide adapted to move matrices from said elevating means to said distributing mechanism, a rotatable member on said trame, a spring link connection between said member and said slide, and means for intermittently rotating said member whereby said slide and pusher arm are caused to move toward and from said distributing mechanism.

ln testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERICK W. IJETSCH 

